Legal action if anyone tries to visit Israel from Bangladesh: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has warned of legal action according to the country's immigration law if anyone tries to go to Israel from Bangladesh, which still does not recognise it as a country.

The minister made the remarks after handing over medical equipment for the people of Palestine to its ambassador in Dhaka Yousef SY Ramadan at the state guest house Padma on Wednesday morning.

"We remain very strong on the legal grounds and everybody knows it. The immigration will immediately stop anyone who tries to go against the law," he said.

"No Bangladeshi can visit Israel because we do not recognise Israel. If anyone goes there, the person will be prosecuted," he added.

The minister reiterated that Bangladesh has not changed its position towards Israel at all; therefore, no one from Bangladesh can visit Israel.

The foreign minister said, "Passport is an identity and it does not relate anything with the foreign policy. The relation between Bangladesh and Palestine is as strong as before. Bangladesh will continue working for the people of Palestine. We have a very strong position regarding an independent and sovereign state of Palestine."

The passport issued by Bangladesh since independence has had a provision mentioned on its first page, saying, "This Passport Is Valid for All Countries of The World except Israel".

Recently, the government has removed the words "except Israel".

"There is some media controversy over the issue. It is very unfortunate. We do not recognise Israel, we have never recognised it. We firmly believe in a two-state solution. We never changed our policy," said Momen.

Earlier on 23 May, Palestinian Ambassador Yousef SY Ramadan described the omission of the words from the Bangladeshi passport as unacceptable.

Foreign Minister Abdul Momen expressed dissatisfaction over the Palestinian ambassador's statement on Tuesday.

"Bangladesh will take its decision itself. What other countries say is completely irrelevant," said the minister, responding to a query from reporters after a programme at the Foreign Service Academy.

He said, "Whatever is said by an ambassador of another country is irrelevant to us. We maintain our foreign policy. We would have been in trouble if we paid heed to what others say."

According to the foreign minister, there will be more donations as Bangladesh handed over medicines worth Tk40 lakh to the Palestinian ambassador on Wednesday.

The medicines have been provided by Beacon Pharmaceuticals. These will be sent to Palestine via Jordan.

"More donations have been approved. We will send that soon. The prime minister will provide $50,000 for the people of Palestine," Momen said.

The Palestinian ambassador thanked the government of Bangladesh for expressing solidarity and support. "People in Palestine appreciate your help, support and donation very much."

Asked how much money the people of Bangladesh have donated so far during the ongoing crisis, the Palestinian ambassador said, "People are giving money to the bank accounts and bKash numbers that we have provided. We have not calculated yet. We will inform it later."

Among others, Mohammad Ebadul Karim, managing director of Beacon Pharmaceuticals, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were present at the event.